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As well, I am now announcing a special Zazenkai this week, on the evening of Wednesday, July 9th (times to be determined) ... to celebrate our first official visitor to Tsukuba Treeleaf: HANS IS COMING FROM GERMANY!

Re: Reminder: Tonight's Zazenkai/Special Zazenkai

Jundo,
I will not be able to sit with all of you today due to home schedule - I am going to try to get Tam outside today and help her with her physical therapy for the knee... also driving three boys around! I will sit later today - I have found a spot in the forest nearby on a ridge above a stream. Cool shade on a hot summer day..

I am glad Hans is visiting, and hope to follow in the not-too-distant future!

Re: Reminder: Tonight's Zazenkai/Special Zazenkai

Hi Jundo

thanks as always to pulling the Zazenkai together. I was the blue box for 3 or the 4 hours. I started late as I couldn't get the Ustream live stream to work & subsequently nor my linux webcam (in too much of a rush). Strangely, in the other 2 or 3 I have done of these my back aches dreadfully, but this time it was my right knee (I have no idea why) - so by three hours I bailed out (sorry).

I thought that the Jundo & son dharma talk was lovely & I could see it was so hot there you had the window open and the banner was moving. Here, we have had a storm all day - so I sat with the rain and wind whistling around the house.

Re: Reminder: Tonight's Zazenkai/Special Zazenkai

Re: Reminder: Tonight's Zazenkai/Special Zazenkai

Jools
this time it was my right knee (I have no idea why) - so by three hours I bailed out (sorry).

Hi Jools. I don't know if this will help, but my left knee always really starts to hurt into the third round. I just gassho and lift my left knee up (so the leg is bent upright foot close to the other leg) and put my hands on top of my knee. I Pay attention to posture because it's easy to slouch in that position. It's ok after resting like that for a bit. Might help.

and in English ... it is very nice, about someone who found Buddhism in his middle age ...

My Retreat at Mount Zhongnan

My heart in middle age found the Way.
And I came to dwell at the foot of this mountain.
When the spirit moves, I wander alone
Amid beauty that is all for me....
I will walk till the water checks my path,Then sit and watch the rising clouds --
And some day meet an old wood-cutter
And talk and laugh and never return.

Re: Reminder: Tonight's Zazenkai/Special Zazenkai

Thank you for the tip Will. I did try all sorts of stretching etc on the day, but to no avail - perhaps it was brought on by a long drive I had done the day before. I did find it quite a difficult sit, I had been busy all morning & my mind resented this dull, painful afternoon. Hey ho...